A reflection on Matthew 9:1-8
Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2024 Gloria M. Chang
He entered a boat, made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings.
Matthew 9:1-8
Shalom Aleichem!
Jesus fulfilled the divine commandment at Mount Sinai for all humanity: “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). Holiness is wholeness, or shalom, in the totality of being. All earthly and bodily infirmities reflect humanity’s original departure from the Father’s will.
Christ initiates our way of return by forgiving sins, that is, restoring our union with God’s will. Jesus proves his divine authority by also healing the body of the paralytic on a stretcher, brought to him by compassionate friends.
After his resurrection, fully alive in body and soul, Jesus blesses us, “Shalom aleichem!” (Peace and wholeness be upon you!)
Christ’s power to heal the soul
Also makes the body whole.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《基督使我們健全》
基督治癒靈魂的能力
也使身體變得健全。